Jack Sinclair spent the summer focusing on getting his hands on more leather. In 18 games in his debut season, the rookie sensation built his game around pressure, but was damaging when he had the ball. Although he just didn’t win enough of it, yet.
Across the pre-season at Linen House Centre, the 21-year-old who proved to be one of the biggest surprise packets from his draft class in 2015, concentrated on winning more of the ball through work rate and through demanding it more when in good spots.
In five games in the first quarter of 2016, Sinclair’s numbers have risen. He is averaging five more possessions per game, up to 15.8 touches. His marks (up from 2.2 to 5.0) and uncontested possessions (up from 6.4 to 11.2) are on the rise, indicating his work rate has lifted.
“I’ve been focusing a lot on getting the footy more. I sort of struggled a bit last year in terms of getting my hands on the footy, so I’ve been pretty good when I’ve got it,” Sinclair told AFL Live.
“Richo’s always been in my ear about getting more of the footy and that’s just my work rate and lifting my voice and that kind of thing.
“I’ve been working on that over the summer. Fortunately enough, I’ve been able to get a bit more of it this year which has been pleasing.”
Sinclair: Important to respond after GWS effort
Blake Acres and Tim Membrey may have dominated the external praise following St Kilda’s emphatic victory over Melbourne last Sunday. But Sinclair was another emerging player to produce a stellar effort against the Demons, arguably even his strongest showing in his 23-game career.
With his sharp ball use and ability to impact the scoreboard, Sinclair was damaging with 19 possessions, five tackles, four inside 50s and two goals, thriving on increased midfield minutes.
“It was probably one of (my better games). It was certainly my best game of the year. I played a bit more in the midfield so that was pretty pleasing. I got my hands on the footy a bit more so that was good,” Sinclair said.
A week after halting an in-form Melbourne outfit dead in their tracks, the undefeated Kangaroos awaits St Kilda next. Sinclair says the challenge for his side will be to find consistency in effort, particularly against high-quality opposition.
“It will be a really good challenge for us. The challenge for us is to just try and be more consistent,” Sinclair said.
“I think we’ve shown how good we can be in patches, but that’s what makes the good sides so competitive is that they just play well every week.”
